Holder for key chains



March 22, 1949. H. J. MODREY HOLDER FOR KEY CHAINS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1948 Vin/r02. 574/544 x N00? ATTOQ/VEK March 22, 1949. H. J. MODREY HOLDER FOR KEY CHAINS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1948 March 22, 1949. 1 H. J. MODREY 2,465,328

HOLDER FOR KEY CHAINS Filed Jan. 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmw HTTOP/l/E) Patented Mar. 1949 Y HOLDER FOR KEY CHAINS Henry J. Modrey, Newark, N. 1., assignor to Modrey Patents Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 21, 1948, Serial No. 3,441 18 Claims. (Cl. 24241) This invention relates to holders for securing keys, pocket knives and similar items to a chain.

Holders for key chains, as hitherto known, are permanently fastened to the chain so that the wearer of a chain which is usually attached at one end to the clothing is very restricted in his freedom of movement when he wants to use one of the articles on the chain holder such as a door key. As a result, the use of conventional key chains is somewhat limited in certain respects, for instance they are rarely used for car keys as it would be inconvenient to remove the car key from the chain holder or to take off the entire key chain whenever the car key is used.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means affording complete freedom of move ment to the wearer of a key chain as to the use of an article secured to the chain holder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chain holder that can be conveniently detached from the chain and re-attached thereto so that the wearer of a key chain can use a key or other article secured to the chain holder without being unduly restricted in his freedom of movement by the length of the chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chain holder permitting to secure articles to the chain holder or remove the same in a simple and a convenient manner.

Another more specific object of the invention is to provide a chain holder that can be detached simply and quickly from the chain without removing any articles from the chain holder so that the latter can be used in a manner similar to a key ring.

In this connection it should be noted that the term "chain or key chain, as herein used, is intended to include any type of chains, strings, ribbons, braided wire, etc. that may be employed in connection with a holder of the type herein referred to.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawings, several now preferred. embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an isometric view of a key holder according to the invention with a key attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a similar isometric view of the key holder, partly in section.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the key holder showing the key supporting part of the holder detached from the other part of the holder fastened to the chain, the key supporting holder part being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a modification oi a key holder according to the invention, the holder being partly shown in section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a holder according to the invention, the two holder parts being shown detached in a position for attaching a key to or removing the same from the holder.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of part of a holder for supporting keys and similar articles.

Fig, 7 is a section along line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section along line 9-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a section along line Ill-l0 of Fig.- 5.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view, partly in section, of a further modiflction of a holder according to the invention, the male and female coupling member being shown detached from one another, and

Fig. 12 is another isometric view of the holder according to Fig. 11, the parts of the male member being shown in a position for attachment of the male member to the female member and for the addition of articles to the loop or removal therefrom.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 in detail, the key holder shown on those figures comprises a female coupling member. generally designated by l5 and a male coupling member, generally designated by Hi. Coupling member I5 is fastened to one end of a chain 11, the other end of which is secured to a suitable clasp, ring. or clamp 18 attached to any suitable support such as the clothing of the wearer of the key chain.

Coupling member I5 is shown as a closed casing tapered at one end and closed at the other end by a wall member l9 having an opening 20 therethrough. The side walls 2| of the casing are extended beyond wall member 19 to form a collar or flange 2|.

Coupling member I6 is shown as comprising a sleeve 22 shaped similar to the casing of the female member and set off at 23. The set-off portion of sleeve 22 is shaped to be received by collar 2| so that the outside walls of the easing and the sleeve are flush as can best be seen on Fig. 1, when the male member and the female member of the holder are joined. Sleeve 22 is open at one end and closed at the other end by a wall member 24 having an opening 25 therethrough. Openings 20 and 25 have substantially assases the same cross-section and are in alignment when sleeve 22 is received by the casing of coupling member ii.

The male member of the holder further comprises a clamping rod 30 having at 1e end an enlarged clamping head 3| the shape of which can best be seen on Fig. 2. The widest cross-section of the clamping head corresponds to the cross-section of openings 20 and 25. The opposite end of rod 3|.is enlarged to form a portion 3| which in turn is extended into a loop or eye 32. This loop leaves a gap 33 between the adjacent branch of loop 32 and the rod portion The clamping rod coacts with a wedging slide 34 positioned within sleeve 22 alongside the rod and is extended through opening 28 of wall member 24. As can best be seen on Fig. 2, the clamping head 3| is asymmetric to the rod axis and the wedging slide is located on the flat side of the rod. The cross-section of slide 30 is so selected that the total cross-section of the slide and the rod shaft correspond to the cross-section of openings 20 and 25. As a result. the total cross-section of the slide and the enlarged head 3| is greater than the cross-section of openings 20 and 25 as can best be seen on Fig. 2. Slide 34 is extended to form a shoulder 35 from which extends a bar or pin 36. This bar serves as guide for a coil spring 31 abutting at one end against shoulder 35 and at the other end against a second sleeve 43. Sleeve 40 is telescoped into sleeve 22 and closed on its inner end by a wall member 4|. A hole 42 in wall member 4| permits passage of bar 38 into sleeve 40. C011 spring 31 is loaded so that it will bias slide 34 to protrude from wall member 24 and bias 'sleeve 40 downwardly (as seen on Fig. 2 of the drawings) to limit the displacement of the wedging slide relative to wall member 24 and the clamping rod 32, A collar or sleeve 45 is provided encompassing the rod shaft and the wedging slide. This collar limits the upward movement of the wedging slide to the position shown on Fig. 2.

Sleeve 40 is shaped to slidably receive rod portion 3|. The left hand side of this rod portion is provided with a shoulder 45 limiting the downward movement of sleeve 40 relative to the clamping rod. Sleeve 40 is provided with a recess 41 shaped to receive the upper end of the respective branchof loop 32. The lower end of sleeve 40 is closed by a wall member 43 having an opening 49 therein for passage of loop portion 3|.

As a result, sleeve 40 will conceal gap 33 in the loop when the said sleeve and loop 32 are in the relative position shown on Figs. 1 and 2, thereby completing or closing the loop thus securing an article such as a key 50 supported by the holder.

The operation of a holder, as hereinbefore described, is as follows:

Operation of attaching and detaching the holder to and from the chain Let it be assumed that the male member is attached to the female member and that all holder parts are in the positions shown on Fig. 2. As will be noted, the clamping head 3| overhangs opening 20 and is seated against wall member I3, and wedging slide 34 prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through openings 20, thereby latching the coupling members together. When it is now desired to separate the male coupling member from the female coupling member and hence from chain IT for the purpose of using loop -32 in the manner of a key ring or for any other desired purpose, sleeve 22 is pulled downwardly,

4 the by withdrawing wedging slide 34 from'the opening 23. The clamping head can now be withdrawn through opening 23 by means of a slight transversal movement, thereby detaching the coupling members. The wedging slide will snap back by the action of spring 31 into the position shown on Fig. 2 and also on Fig. 3. The keys and other articles secured to loop 32 can now be freely used. When it is desired to attach the male member with keys or other articles supported thereon to the female member and hence to the chain. the male member is gripped at the loop and the tip of the clamping head which is extended beyond the tip of the wedging slide is inserted into opening 20. As the cross-section of the clamping head substantially fills the cross-section of opening 22, the wedging slide is pressed back by the lower edge of the opening of wall member it until the clamping head has completely passed through opening 20 and reaches approximately the position shown on Fig. 2. The clamping rod now leaves sufiicient space for the wedging slide so that the previously compressed spring 31 will press the wedging slide forward and alongside the clamping rod into the position shown on Fig. 2 in which the wedging slide protrudes from opening 23 thus latching the two coupling members together.

Instead of coupling the two members by pressing the male member against the female member as hereinbefore described, it is of course also possible to hold the loop portion of the male member and to pull sleeve 22 back against the action of spring 31. As a result, the wedging slide will be retracted relative to the clamping rod and the clamping head will sufiiciently protrude beyond wall member 24 and the tip of the wedging slide to permit a complete insertion of the clamping head into the female member by a slight transversal relative movement of the coupling mem- Operation of removing articles from loop 32 or attaching the same thereto Let it be assumed that all holder parts are in the positions shown on Fig. l or 2. In this position recess 41 of sleeve 40 is engaged by the respective branch of loop 32 so that the loop is completely closed. When it is now desired to remove one of the articles such as key ill from loop 32, or add another article, sleeve 40 is telescoped into sleeve 22, thereby uncovering gap 33 of the loop as can best be seen on Fig. 3. Articles can now be freely added to or removed from the loop. As soon as sleeve 40 is released. the previously loaded spring 31 willurge the sleeve back into its loop closing position.

It will be evident and is also shown on Fig. 3, the loop can be opened by telescoping sleeves 22 and 40 relative to each other whether the male member is attached to the female member or separated therefrom.

It will further be evident from the description and the drawings that the previously described functions of the holder are attained in a simple and convenient manner by arranging spring 31 in such a manner that it serves a dual purpose to wit: to actuate the latching means and also the loop locking means of the holder.

Referring now to the modification shown on Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive, the holder shown on these figures is similar in principle to the previously described holder.

Corresponding'parts are designated in Figs. 4 to by the same numbers as in Figs. 1 to 3 but primes are used for these numbers.

The holder again comprises a. female member l5 and a male member Hi. The design of the female member is substantially the same as the design of the female member shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Similarly, the arrangement and operation of the clamping rod 30' and the wedging slide 34' are substantially the same so that a repeated description of the operations of latching the two coupling members together and separating them from each other is not deemed necessary for the understanding of the invention. As will be noted, one or more washers 29 serve to position wedging slide 34 relative to clamping head 3!. The loop 32' is shown as a loop formed by bending off clamping rod 30. The clamping rod is guided by the second sleeve 40' through which the clamping rod is slidably passed. The portion 55 of sleeve 40' protruding from the open end of sleeve 22' is flared. The side wall of the flared sleeve portion serves as an abutment for sleeve 22', thereby limiting the sliding movement of sleeve 40' into sleeve 22'. The base 56 of flared portion 55 is provided with a tapered recess 51 converging toward the axial center hole 58 of slide 22' as can best be seen in Figs. 8 and 9. As will appear from Fig. 8, flared portion 55 has an oblong shape. A longitudinal groove 59 is provided within recess 51, each of the two sections of the groove being extended to the center hole 58. The slant of recess 51 with groove 59 and of a shoulder portion 60 of loop 32 are so selected that this shoulder portion will set itself into one of the sections of groove 59 when the plane of loop 32' is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of flared portion 55. The purpose of this arrangement is to effect a self-centering of the loop relative to flare portion 55 as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The operation of the holder according to Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive is as follows:

The operation of latching male coupling member I 5' to female couplin member I5 or of separating the two members issubstantially the same as has been previously described so that no detailed description of this part of the operation is deemed necessary. It suffices to state that the two coupling members can be joined eit er by gripping loop 32' and pressing the male member against the female member or by pulling sleeve 22' back relative to sleeve 40' so that clamping head 3| is proiected into a position ready for insertion into female member opening 20'.

The normal relative position of sleeves 22' and 40 is the one shown in Fig. 4 irrespectively whether "the two coupling members are joined to or separated from each other. As will be noted, sleeve 40' and more specifically the flared portion 55 thereof are pressed by spring 31' into a position in which loop shoulder 60 is received by one half of groove 59 while part of the other half of the groove receives the end of loop arm 32', thereby closing the gap of the loop.

When it is now desired to place an article such as key 50 on the loop or remove an article therefrom, the operator grips sleeve 22' (when the coupling members are joined he may also grip female member l5) and presses sleeve 40' from the position shown on 5 in dotted lines into the position shown on this figure in full lines. As a result, gap 33' is uncovered, thereby permitting the insertion or removal of an article. As soon as the adjustment of articles on the loop is completed. the operator releases slide 40' and the previously compressed spring 31' will snap sleeve 40' back toward its original position.

As will be obvious, the clamping rod and with it loop 32' can freely swivel within sleeve 40' as can also this sleeve within sleeve 22. Such free swivel movement is desirable and convenient in the use of the key holder. However, as a result of such swivel movement, the axis of oblong portion may be at an angle to the plane of loop 32' so that the loop arms can not set themselves into groove 59, thereby requiring turning of the loop relative to oblong portion 55. Such turning is attained automatically and with-- out manipulation by the tapered shape of recess 51. The pressure of spring 31' will produce sufficient torque to cause relative rotation of sleeves 40 and 32' resulting in a self-centering of these parts.

The modification shown on Figs. 11 and 12 is also similar in principle to the holder according to the invention as shown in the previously described figures. There is provided a female coupling member I5" and a male coupling member IS". The femal member is similar to the female member of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 so that it need not be described here in detail. The malemember is distinguished from the male member of the previously described figures in that the function of covering and uncovering the gap in the loop is assigned to the same sleeve which also houses the clamping rod and the wedging slide rather than to a second sleeve.

According to Figs. 11 and 12, there is provided a sleeve of substantially rectangular cross-sectlon.' One end of the sleeve is closed by a wall member 66 having an opening 61 therethrough. A clamping rod 68 is slidably mounted within the sleeve, the enlarged clamping head 3| at one end of the rod being seated against the exterior of wall member 66. The cross-section of the clamping head again corresponds to the cross-section of opening 61 while the shaft of the loop leaves suflicient space for a wedging slide 69. The cross-section of this wedging slide and of the loop shaft are so selected that they substantially fill the cross-section of male member opening 61. Similarly, the to al cross-section of the wedging slide and the rod shaft fill the cross-section of female member opening 20. The

. relation of the cross-section of female member opening 20 to the clamping rod with the clamping head and the wedging slide are the same as is described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 so that the clamping rod and the wedging slide are canable of being inserted into the female member o ening and of joining the two coupling members. The other end of the clamping rod is extended and shaped to form a substantially rectangular loop 10. Arm or branch 10' thereof terminates at a distance from sleeve 64 so that a gap 1! is formed between the end of arm 10' and sleeve 65. The clamping rod portion forming loop 10 is extended from sleeve 65 by means of an elongated slot 12 in the side wall of the sleeve opposite the side wall facing gap 1|. The end of the sleeve opposite wall member 66 is closed by a bottom wall 13 which at one side is extended by a substantially U-shaped arm 14 serving as gu de and support for loop 10 and on the opposite side by a second substantially U-shaped arm 15 which serves to close gap 1| in the position of the sleeve shown in Fig. 11 and also receives the end of arm 10', thereby serving as guide for the loop. Arm 15 also prevents a bending of the loop and therewith the formation of a gap between loop arm Ill and arm ll.

As will be apparent from Fig. 11, the portion of loop II which is first bentoi! to form loop is resting against bottom wall 13 when clamping .head Si is seated against the exterior of wall member I. One side of the rod portion within sleeve 85 is guided by the adjacent side wail of the sleeve, while the opposite rod side is recessed to form two shoulders l8 and TI. The recess formed by shoulders It and H is engaged by a shoulder 18 extending from slide 60. The end of the wedging slide within sleeve 65 is resting against bottom 1;, the wedging slide being fixedly mounted. within sleeve 85. A loaded spring II is disposed between shoulders II and It. As will be evident, this spring biases the sleeve into a position relative to the clamping rod in which clamping head Si is seated against wall member 68 and arm is in alignment with loop arm 10' so that loop gap II is closed.

The operation of the holder according to Figs. 11 and 12 is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the parts of the male member are in the position shown in Fig. 11 and that it is desired to attach the male member to the female member and also to open loop gap 11. For the purpose of joining the coupling members, the operator can either grip loop 10 and simply press the malemember against the female member as previously described or he can withdraw sleeve 65 relative to the clamping rod, thereby moving the sleeve into-.the position shown in Fig. 12 in which the clamping head ii is proiected from the sleeve and also relative to the wedging slide. By'either operation; the coupling members can be latched to each other as will be obvious from the previous-description.

The withdrawal of sleeve 65, in addition to projecting clamping head 3|, has also the eflect of moving arms 14 and 15 into the loop, thereby opening a passage or clearance between sleeve 8! and loop arm II so that articles can be attached to or removed from-the loop. As soon as sleeve one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head or loop III are released, spring is wifl snap 4' these parts back into the position shown in Fig. 11, thereby re-ciosing the loop.

The male member and the female member can be detached from each other by moving sleeve into the position shown in Fig. 12. It will further be apparent that the loop can be opened and closed independently whether the male member is attached to the female member or not so that the male member can be used in the manner of a key ring as previously mentioned.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain preferred examples and embodiments it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore, in the appended claims, to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a tubular member closed at one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched tohaving a cross-section substantially filling said 7 opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the tubular member and ccmstructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging member extended through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head. springmeans positioned within the tubular member and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member; and locking means disposed on the male coup member slidably relative to the clamping rod and biased by said spring means into a position in which the locking means complete said open loop for securing articles supported thereon, whereby, upon projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid posit.on relative to the wall member opening by compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head, thus projected. through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means areu'eleased thus latching the two coupling members together. and whereby, upon displacement of the locking means relative to the clamping rod against the action of the spring means, said loop opening is uncovered for purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to the loop.

2. In a holder for keychains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed on one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignmerit with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a cross-section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the open sleeve end and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and simLar art.cles. a wedging member positioned to extend through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, spring means positioned within the sleeve and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member, and a locking member slidable relative to.the sleeve and biased by said spring means into a position in which the looking member completes said open loop for securing articles supported thereon, whereby, upon pro- Jection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall mcmber opening by a compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head, thus molested. through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means are released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the gether, a clamping rod slidably extended through iii locking member relative to the sleeve against the action of the spring means, said loop opening is uncovered for purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to the loop.

3. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising asleeve closed on one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head havinga crosssection substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the open sleeve end and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedglng slide disposed slidably in said wall member opening, spring means positioned within the sleeve and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall memher and further arranged to bias the wedging slide to extend through the wall member opening alongside the clamping rod and the clamping head, and a second sleeve slidable relative to the first sleeve and biased by said spring means into a position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop for securing articles supported thereon, whereby, upon projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative. to the wall member opening by a compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head thus projected through the female member opening, the spring biased wedging slide prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means are released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve against the action of the spring means. said loop opening is uncovered for-the purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to said loop.

4. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed on one end by a wall member having an. opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a cross-section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod be g extended to protrude from the open sleeve nd and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging member positioned to extend through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, a second sleeve telescopically mounted within the first sleeve and slidably guiding said clam ing rod. and a spring disposed within the first sleeve and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member and the second sleeve into a position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop for securingarticles supported thereon, whereby, upon a projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by a compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressedspring is released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve against the action of the spring, said loop opening is uncovered for the purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to said loop.

5. In a holder for key chains, a female cou- .pling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed on one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the :5 coupling members are latched together, a clampt cles, a wedging member positioned to extend through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, a second sleeve telescoped within the first sleeve and slidable on the clamping rod, stop means for stopping displacement of the second sleeve toward the looped rod end in a position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop for securing articles on said loop, and a spring abutting atone end against an abutment within the first sleeve and on the other end against the second sleeve for biasing the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member and said second sleeve into the posit on in which the second sleeve completes said open loop, whereby, upon a projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by a compression of the spring and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means are released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve against the action of the spring, said loop opening is uncovered for the purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to said loop.

6. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed on one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably-extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an ll enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a crosssection substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the open sleeve end and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging slide disposed slidably within said wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, a second sleeve telescoped within the first sleeve and slidable on the clamping rod, the looped portion of the clamping rod having a shoulder for stopping displacement of the second sleeve toward the looped rod end in a position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop for securing ar ticles on said loop, and a spring abutting at one end against a wedging slide portion within the first sleeve and on the other end against the second sleeve for biasing the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member and said second sleeve into the position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop, whereby upon a projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by a compression of the spring and passage of the clamping head thus projected, through the female member opening, the spring biased wedging slide prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female memberopening when the compressed spring is released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve against the action of the spring, said loop opening is uncovered for the purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to said loop.

7. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member comprising a closed housing having a flat wall member with an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed on one end by a flat wall member having an opening therethrough, said wall members being arranged to abut against each other with said openings in substantial alignment when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the sleeve wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside the said wall member, said clamping head having a cross-section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the open sleeve end and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging slide disposed slidably within said sleeve wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, the tip of the clamping head being extended beyond the tip of the wedging slide when the coupling members are detached from each other, a second sleeve telescoped within the first sleeve and slidable on the clamping rod, the looped portion of the clamping rod having a shoulder for stopping displacement of the second sleeve toward the looped rod end in a position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop for securing articles on said loop, and a spring abutting at one end against a wedging slide portion within the first sleeve and on the other end against the second sleeve for biasing the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said sleeve wall member and the second sleeve into the position in which the second sleeve completes said open loop, whereby upon a projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by a compression of the spring and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the spring biased wedging slide prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring is released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the second sleeve relative to the first sleeve against the actionof the spring, said loop opening is uncovered for the purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to said loop.

8. A holder as described in claim 6, wherein said wedging slide is provided with a guiding bar extending therefrom toward and into the second sleeve for guiding said spring.

9. A holder as described in claim 6, wherein the loop portion of the clamping rod is enlarged so as to slidably fit into the second sleeve.

10. A holder as described in claim 6, wherein the male wall member is confined by a peripheral collar and wherein said female wall member is received by said collar when the coupling members are latched together so as to provide a flush Joining of said sleeves.

11. A holder as described in claim 2, wherein the clamping rod is bent 01! to form an open loop having shoulders facing said second sleeve. and wherein said second sleeve is provided with a groove arranged to receive said loop shoulders when the second sleeve is in its loop completing position.

12. A holder as described in claim 11 wherein said groove is extended across the diameter of the second sleeve and approximately V-shaped, and wherein the sleeve portion including said groove is at least partly tapered toward the groove for causing said looped rod portion to center itself in the groove by the pressure of said spring.

13. A holder as described in claim 2, wherein said second sleeve is slidably fitted into said first sleeve and the clamping rod is slidably fitted into said second sleeve, and wherein the portion of the second sleeve protruding from the first sleeve is flared so as to limit the inward telescopic move-. ment of the second sleeve.

14. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a sleeve closed at one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a cross section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the open sleeve end and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging member extended through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, spring means positioned within the sleeve and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a posi-' tion relative to eachother in which the clamping 13 head is seated against the exterior of said wall member, said sleeve being extended to form a portion capable of closing the loop gap and biased by said spring means into a position in which said sleeve portion closes the loop gap for securing articles supported on the loop, whereby, upon projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means are released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the sleeve relative to the clamping rod against the action of through in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a cross-section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the sleeve member and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, a wedging member extended through the wall member opening and alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, spring means positioned within the sleeve member and arranged to bias the clamping head and the wall member toward a position relative to each other in which the clamping head is seated against the exterior of said wall member, said sleeve member having an axial slot in a wall portion through which slot said loop rod portion is extended and a lateral arm extending from another wall portion, said arm being constructed and positioned to be biased by said spring means intov a position in which the arm closes the loop gap for securing articles supported on the loop, whereby, upon projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by compression of the spring means and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through the said female member opening when the compressed spring means are released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon displacement of the sleeve member relative to the clamping rod against the action of the spring means, said loop opening is uncovered for purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to the loop.

16. A holder as described in claim 15, wherein said arm is substantially U-shaped to receive the loop end at the gap when said sleeve member arm is in its gap closing position.

17. In a holder for key chains, a female coupling member attachable to a chain and a male coupling member, the female member having an opening therein, the male member comprising a substantially sleeve-shaped member closed at one end by a wall member having an opening therethrough in substantial alignment with the female member opening when the coupling members are latched together, .the opposite end of the loop being closed by a bottom wall, a clamping rod slidably extended through the opening of the wall member and having on one end an enlarged clamping head positioned outside said wall member, said clamping head having a cross section substantially filling said opening of the female member, the other end of the clamping rod being extended to protrude from the sleeve member and constructed to form an open loop for removably supporting keys and similar articles, said sleeve member having a lateral axially elongated slot through which said loop is extended for displacement of the loop portion of the clamping rod relative to the sleeve member and a laterally extended arm corresponding in length substantially to the width of the gap in the loop, a fixed wedging member disposed within the sleeve member and positioned to extend through the wall member opening alongside of the clamping rod and the clamping head, said clamping rod and said wedging slide each having a shoulder portion within the sleeve member, and a spring positioned between said shoulders and arranged to bias the clamping rod and the sleeve member into a relative position ,in which said lateral arm closes the loop gap and a rod portion within the sleeve member abuts against said bottom wall, whereby, upon projection of the clamping head beyond the aforesaid position relative to the wall member opening by displacement of the clamping rod relative to the sleeve member and compression of the spring and passage of the clamping head, thus projected, through the female member opening, the wedging member prevents a withdrawal of the clamping head through said female member opening when the compressed spring is released thus latching the two coupling members together, and whereby, upon the aforesaid displacement of the sleeve member relative to the clamping rod, said loop gap is uncovered for purpose of removing articles from or adding the same to the loop.

18. A holder as described in claim 14, wherein said sleeve member is arranged to extend, when displaced relative to the clamping rod, into said loop to provide a clearance between said lateral arm and the loop end at the gap, thereby permitting the addition of articles to the loop and the removal of the same therefrom.

HENRY J. MODREY.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

